Paint Protection Film?

I had my entire front end wrapped. It makes cleaning much easier & does provide a nice layer of protection. I do have a couple rock chips above my windshield that I will have to correct. I wish that I had wrapped my entire vehicle, it was a little to costly

Tuckerjr

I had my entire front end wrapped. It makes cleaning much easier & does provide a nice layer of protection. I do have a couple rock chips above my windshield that I will have to correct. I wish that I had wrapped my entire vehicle, it was a little to costly

Thanks Jimmy. Did they tell you how long it will last?

BlueRidgeBronco

Thanks Jimmy. Did they tell you how long it will last?

It should last 10+ years. If you do not off-road frequently, you may look at a 9yr ceramic coat instead of PPF. It will save you a bit does not protect from scratches or rock chips though

Tuckerjr

It should last 10+ years. If you do not off-road frequently, you may look at a 9yr ceramic coat instead of PPF. It will save you a bit does not protect from scratches or rock chips though

You read my mind with asking how the ceramic compares. Thanks! Did the dealer install your PPF?

BlueRidgeBronco

You read my mind with asking how the ceramic compares. Thanks! Did the dealer install your PPF?

No, I would highly recommend you find a shop to do it. I used a place in Tennessee called Finishing Touch & they did an excellent job. I also PPF’d my door sills to protect from scratches. Another place to do it is behind door handles

I am in Harpers Ferry, WV and the Eastern Shore of MD. I will check out if I can afford to get this done at a place that will do it right. Thanks for the suggestions!

I had 10 mil installed on all the green painted surface except the tailgate.
I also had it done to the grill.
This stuff is amazing. I ran through the desert following a side by side. I could hear the brush scraping the sides. I didn't want to look.
Stopped for lunch and, nothing.
The plastic mirrors and fender flares showed scratches but not the paint.


Had windshield protection done as well.

I had Stealth PPF and then a couple of layers of ceramic on top of it put on 2 broncos that I own and the stuff is worth it. Small scratches will self heal in the sun and the stealth PPF gives the finish a nice satin look. Super easy to clean too!

I wanted to do it but the $6000 quote I got was a little steep for me.

I had my entire vehicle wrapped including the lights... I used Stek 10 mm and it was half the price of the Expel 7mm. I also happen to sell vinyl and I personally think the Stek is a better product than the Expel... I would NOT get the Matte... Matte looks awesome and perfect for an on-road car but off road?... go gloss. you can speed up the "self healing" with a heat gun using the Gloss... Not so with the Matte. I have whipped through a lot of brush and limbs that would have scratched the heck out of the paint and with the PPF... you do not see anything... skin looks new. There are a few small areas along the edges that lift and get a little dirt behind there... No one else sees those spots but me...

Unicorn

I had my entire vehicle wrapped including the lights... I used Stek 10 mm and it was half the price of the Expel 7mm. I also happen to sell vinyl and I personally think the Stek is a better product than the Expel... I would NOT get the Matte... Matte looks awesome and perfect for an on-road car but off road?... go gloss. you can speed up the "self healing" with a heat gun using the Gloss... Not so with the Matte. I have whipped through a lot of brush and limbs that would have scratched the heck out of the paint and with the PPF... you do not see anything... skin looks new. There are a few small areas along the edges that lift and get a little dirt behind there... No one else sees those spots but me...

I have zero issues with the self healing properties of the Stealth PPF.

MGM1

I have zero issues with the self healing properties of the Stealth PPF.

Okay... But do not use a heat gun on it... a heat gun will turn it glossy and you will see the miss match. It self heals fine when set out in the sun and it is warm. During the winter months (I live in a northern state) it will not self heal until it warms up in the spring. Then it will slowly self heal. During the winter months OR anytime I want to speed up the self healing I can use a heat gun on the gloss.

Unicorn

Okay... But do not use a heat gun on it... a heat gun will turn it glossy and you will see the miss match. It self heals fine when set out in the sun and it is warm. During the winter months (I live in a northern state) it will not self heal until it warms up in the spring. Then it will slowly self heal. During the winter months OR anytime I want to speed up the self healing I can use a heat gun on the gloss.

Good call. I live in MD and usually wheel in the summer months and the sun takes care of the pin striping. Thanks for the tip - no heat gun.

MGM1

Good call. I live in MD and usually wheel in the summer months and the sun takes care of the pin striping. Thanks for the tip - no heat gun.

Like I said though... the Matte looks awesome... Have matte paint on the wife's car. I love the look and would have preferred that look for my Bronco... I just experience too many times where I NEED the heat gun.

Just got word... 3M just released a new PPF in colors, including flip colors....https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b5005547007/

3M has been a bit behind in the PPF world. I think this is their way of trying to leap frog the competition. and you can get it in Matte or Gloss and it is self healing.

I had mine ceramic coated - guy came to my house. Pretty scary watching him “scuff up” the original paint but overall has been fabulous. I have the Velocity Blue and it just makes the color even more intense. I’m a car wash freak and it just stays so pristine

I’ve got Expel PPF on the front clip and rockers and a coat or two of ceramic over the top (of the ppf and the entire vehicle exterior). The PPF is snot-slick and SO easy to clean, and no scratches at all. Bugs don’t stick to it, which is the best part. I have considered going back to have film put on the headlights, windshield, and pillars. But the original job cost me close to $4000 so not in a hurry to spend more.

Definitely worth it!!

I had the front of mine done in PPF: grille and surround, headlights, full hood, front fenders, and windshield surround. I used a shop that I had worked with previously. They prefer STEK DynoShield and I'm happy with the results. You can't tell what's been covered in PPF and what hasn't. Water beads up on it like it's got a fresh wash and I haven't done any ceramic coating.

I considered doing the lower door to the style line to protect against rocks but held off partly because I didn't want to see a cut line along the door. I noticed that the rock rails block errant rocks and shortly after, I also added splash guards to the front. I have no rock chips at all on the doors, despite heavy off-roading of all types (including some spirited high-speed baja driving that would be the most likely to flick rocks). The full nose, A-pillars, and windshield surround were about $1,800ish, including tax.

I also rolled the dice on windshield protection, but that didn't work out well, and I wouldn't recommend it. I got a crack in the windshield within the first nine months. 😕 The other issue is that the film can scratch easily, so off-roading means having water to rinse dirt before using wipers. Also, bugs completely impregnate themselves when they hit it at 70+ mph. Even the high-pressure wash at the car self-wash can't get them completely out. I have to hand-scrub afterward.

I would vote you do the full nose and windshield surround PPF.

timhood

I also rolled the dice on windshield protection, but that didn't work out well, and I wouldn't recommend it. I got a crack in the windshield within the first nine months. 😕 The other issue is that the film can scratch easily, so off-roading means having water to rinse dirt before using wipers. Also, bugs completely impregnate themselves when they hit it at 70+ mph. Even the high-pressure wash at the car self-wash can't get them completely out. I have to hand-scrub afterward.

I would vote you do the full nose and windshield surround PPF.

Good tip on the windshield... thanks! What about the headlights? The windshield surround is what I wish I'd had done, too. I had my rockers done up to the style line, and you can't really see the line. It helps a lot in keeping the dirt/mud from sticking (and cow manure when I run through the field).